"This one's on the house, sugar."
She crosses her arms and sighs. She's clearly thinking, and sighs before speaking.
"You seem like a sweet kid...and right now you've got a hell of a rep in town. Oh, yes, word gets around, Mr. Hero of Sandpoint. Listen...Calin, right? If you were like most people I'd feed into all this, but you've done a lot for the town so I should tell this to you straight.
Unless I miss my guess, this is your first time in a place like this. But that's the kind of talk we usually get from clients that get smitten. It happens, of course, and sometimes we lead people to milk the money for a while, but you seem decent and earnest.
For us, this is a job. We sell companionship, on whatever terms our clients are looking for. I'm not saying it's impossible for real affection and romance to happen, but...well, just remember that part of our job is selling a fantasy. If you're interested in someone and want to get to know them, that's all well and good. But if she's not interested in you aside from the time that you pay for her company, it's best to just accept that and move on.
Now that that morose bit of advice is out of the way, of you can describe the person you'd like to contract for the event tonight, I'd be happy to get them and see if we can't negotiate something for this evening."
Eliosa looks uncomfortable at being put in the spotlight with the group. When she has a moment she grabs a plate and some ale and tries to find a table off to the side to sit. She notices Asa and Rast, and moves their direction. "May I join you both?" She takes a seat. "I was able to scribe some of the spells from the spellbook we found today." She leans forward and whispers, "One of the spells might be of help in the future. It heals with negative energy. Did you get a chance to conduct your experiment yet? I'm very interested in the results."
"oh right, of course. I mean its their job right. Couldnt expect less from their job."
he said but his face aaid he realized now how silly he was. Je hadnt touched the second ale. He pulled the length of pretty ribbon from his pocket and set it on the bar.
"i didnt well im not trying to use my sudden fame or anything you know....i mean im just the stable bo...stablehand. im sure in a couple weeks all this furor will die down. A y...about a year ago there were three girls from here shopping for ribbins and i may i may have been dsitracted by how pretty one of them was and the horse sort of well i got kicked pretty bad. Im not a usually the sort of person that people notice you see but the one. I could see how concerned she was over whether i was hurt or not. Well at least compared to the tall blonde one, she kinda snickered at me "
He cleared his throat and looked about embaressed. He was certainly not like those heros in stories. He had been a fool to even think he might have been. He hefted his fat purse of coin and thought of what he should be using it for.
"she had dark hair and fair skin, i asked a few people about, some of the lumber mill boys and they said that sounded like Tess?
His features darkened when he thought about a few of the others they then started to say about this place.
i uh... here. Im sorry i took up your time, i should go i was stupid to come here for a silly pipedream this is no bards story.
He set the purse down and took the ale finally, draining it and setting it down nicely. He turned and hurried torwards the door. He could probably barely afford an hours worth of her time once let alone often enough for their to be real sparks or anything.
It was probably very clear on his face that he felt like he didnt belong there at that moment.
x10
Selaros didn't really notice any of the girls looking at them, mostly he assumed it was Merrick they shot glances at. "Is it us all or Merrick they look at?" He instead takes a look around after the others and to see if Agustianna is here.
When you look down, you see the pouch of coins that you had thrown earlier.
A voice begins to speak.
"Kaye wasn't kidding! You really don't know much about this, do you? I can command a pretty decent sum, don't get me wrong, but eighty gold? For not even talking with me? That's a courtesan fit for a king!"
The voice ends with a throaty laugh that makes your hair stand on end in a way that's not at all unpleasant. The words were soft and smooth, with hints of an accent you can't quite place making them sound just the slightest bit exotic.
When you turn to see the owner of the voice, it is a beautiful woman with dark hair and fair skin. She is wearing an exquisite dress, something that vacillates between risque and classy and settles on tantalizing. She's turning more than one head, but seems to be focused solely on you.
Tessa smiles.
"So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
** spoiler omitted **
Selaros, Agustianna is here, should you wish to speak with her.
"Well, at least it's pants stayed on!"
Merrick was taking care to watch his alcohol intake. He was inexperienced with drinking, but knew enough to know that he wanted to stay in control.
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Rast is clearly glad for the company as on a night of celebration he feels his half-breed genealogy strongly.
"We have not been able to try yet but maybe as the night winds down we will. If it works I can be prepared in in the future."
Sipping his drink, slower now so as not to drink to much. No one needs a drunk half-orc around.
"I am glad you could use those spells, even from a bad source, we must use the tools we have."
At some point before the night winds to a close Rast will also broach one final topic with Asa.
[b] "Asa, after watching you work today I was thinking that I should develop some sort of skill or at least a hobby. I use to whittle a small bit to pass the time, do you know if there is a wood worker in town? Maybe he could show me a little, just for a hobby." [b]
He glanced down torwards the coin pouch and for a moment his head sort of to the side and a slight look of confusion crossed his face. Then the voice registered and sent electric shivers down his spine in a very pleasing way. He started to turn his head and his eyes caught the sight before him and for a moment his mind seemed stuck on pause.
He came to himself quickly just able to slide back enough to avoid what little of the ale he had almost spilled on himself setting his glass down and blushing.
"I uh.. oh.."
He began clearly a little surprised to see her there. He took a deep breath collected his thoughts and tried again. You are a good person Calin, worthy of praise and attention. He thought to himself trying to convince himself of that very thought.
"That was, I mean. I was nervous and to be honest didnt recall leaving my coin pouch there thank you. Do you drink anything? I mean, well of course you drink things, I meant would you like a drink?"
He began his mouth running away with him again for the moment.
"I was new to this town a little under a year ago, and I was helping a merchant with their horse purchase. You and a few of the other girls were out shopping for ribbon i think.. and" he started to cringe slightly unconciously as if he expected a bad reaction. " . . .I wasnt paying as much attention as I should bacuase i was distracted and the upset horse kicked me. I got a little hurt but i still remember.. you .. you looked worried and concerned... over me. At last I think it was for me,it could have been for the horse, that would have been fair too. Poor thing was frightened out of its mind. You were wearing a bluish grey dress that day, like the color of the ocean after a storm.
He blushed again but thankfully caught the attention of someone to get them a drink at least.
Asa nods to both Eloisa as Rast speaks. "I agree, just be careful lest the lure of immortality tempt you," she smiles as she says this.
"I guess I have been more on edge than normal since we found out ..." Asa catches herself, looking at the other townsfolk, and then continues, "the details we found about the attack. Given my own history, I am jumping at the shadows, blade first." She shakes her head in frustration.
"Still, whomever was behind that book it wasn't Shaedeen. Different handwriting and she seemed to genuinely have no knowledge of the recent events beyond the goblins attacking. When I tell you about my side research last night it might make more sense why I thought otherwise." Asa takes a long drink of her tea, in part to cover her embarrassed blush.
"As for your question, Rast, I seem to remember there being some sort of carpentry place in town. There certainly is that sawmill, and the shipyard... perhaps Selaros or Merrick would have a more precise suggestion."
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"Well it is good to know that she is who she says. I have no idea what a "spokes model" but she did not strike me as a mastermind."
I probably should not have said that, I have nothing against her and don't, mean to belittle.
"Knowing what we do I can see you being on edge but your good actions should be enough for people. I know your, umm, background is unusual but I don't think people will judge that much here. I walk around with hardly a look and my father would be, rightly, unwelcome"
"Also it is possible some friends could help if you, umm, find those you want to."
Rast will order a third drink but at this point only sip.'
"I will check at the saw mill. Maybe I can get some pointers."
She purses her lips, thinking. She seems as though she is considering you.
"I'll take a scotch. Nothing too peaty to start. Neat. And I'll have you're story while we're at it. A girl wants to know she got gussied up for a good reason."
"It seems like half the town has showed up! Quite an event...and you're right, quite a specimen. I really don't know how Ameiko makes it all so delicious!"
Her cheeks are slightly flushed. If you had to guess, you'd say she's had a couple of drinks already. She's not slurring or anything, but she does seem to be drinking her current ale slowly.
"So how was the hunt, O Mighty Slayer of Boars?"
"For you, my friends; the least bit of repayment I can offer for everything you've done. Ameiko is right. Sandpoint doesn't know what she's got with you lot, but I'm grateful. Now, miss Asa, before I get so drunk I can't remember my own name, I believe there were some matters you wished to discuss?"
Eloisa isn't exactly trying to keep up with Rast's drinking. But she ends up ordering when he does. "Woodworking? That sounds great. Maybe you can carve the wands and rods I'll be able to make one day. If I keep learning. I'm only up to scribing scrolls at the moment." She starts to weave in her seat slightly after the third drink arrives.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Shaedeen keeps a low profile early in the evening, but when it becomes apparent that most of the Heroes of Sandpoint don't crave the spotlight, she sees an opportunity and seizes it for herself. She's more than happy to tell anyone who'll listen about her goblin-killing heroics near the east bridge while the main contingent of heroes dealt with those nearer the cathedral. She also enhances her participation in the boar hunt, but gives credit where it's due to Merrick for his impressive archery. During her performance (which it is), she acts out some of her daring deeds, both to model her fit and trim figure and the armor Savrah made to protect it. When Shae catches the tradeswoman watching her in amusement, she gives her new friend a quick wink before telling the crowd exactly where in town she purchased her fine armor and backpack.
He drank more of the ale more than curious about her scotch. He didnt venture outside of ale and maybe a wine or two. He felt certainly not as societal as she was.
"Mr.Hosk was a friend of my fathers so when I first came here he gave me a job at the stables. Im apart of the town militia now maybe someday i can be a full time with the guard but when the goblins attacked i had to do something.
"Not that I can see. Who is it?"
She takes a look over at the woman in question searchingly.
"Perhaps you should talk to her. We could go with you if you want." She is about to rise when the drinks plop down.
Asa nods with a smile to Dante. "Aye, I did. I did some further research last night while preparing my spells on the Forge. I wanted to share what I learned with you, and with your permission with Eloisa as well." She indicates the young wizard with her hand. "If anyone can solve the problem of an ogre spellcaster, she would be the one I would trust to do so."
Dante raises an eyebrow, then shrugs.
"I've no qualms. Have at."
Also Shaedeen if you have it, roll Performance. If not, roll Bluff.
Asa proceeds to relay all the information she learned the proceeding night to them both.
A night spent consulting your text reveals some interesting information. Sure enough, Korvut was right. Seems like several cultures have legends that could easily enough be the Forge of the Maker. Every story seems to indicate that the Forge was used by good-aligned folk to create weapons to fight powerful evil forces.
One of the more interesting ones that you come across seems to say that the nation of Cheliax, in it's early days, feared the weapons that could come from such a place. There is a record of siege being laid to the place by one Ryiava Thrawn. The occupants of the Forge at the time, a surviving cult of Aroden, were eradicated, and the Forge disappeared from history for several centuries until it pops up in Korvosan legend.
After she finished, she takes a sip of the ale offered earlier. "Thanks, normally I don't drink lest my temper get the best of me, but I think I will make an exception this once." She sets the drink down and proceeds.
"I have reason to believe that an old enemy of mine might be involved behind your ogre problem. If she is then I will give my all to take it back from them. But that is not the only matter I wanted to discuss." Taking another drink from her ale, she attempts to smile.
"On the way over to the hunt I asked our host, Aldern Foxglove, if he ever procured specialty metals for the town. While he openly admitted it was not something he routinely brought in, he was relatively confident that he might be able to get a shipment of something a bit more... special... than regular steel. I know my companions are well enough armored and armed, but sometimes having just a minor edge built in to the very weapons they wield can make all the difference." Asa looks Dante in the eyes. "I am not a proud woman, or at least I try not to be. I would need help from Korvut, Savrah, and you to make the most out of any shipment received. Would you be willing to aid us?"
Asa, this will require some Diplomacy checks. If you wish, someone with more skill (Merrick or Rast, perhaps) can make the check, acting as "moral support" for your words.
Ogre spellcaster? That does sounds like a really big problem. Has one been seen near here? I haven't heard anything like that." she halfway listens as Asa talks about a lost Forge. I wonder why she thinks I can help with an Ogre. I'm not that good. My sister, and my Mum they are amazing wizards. Good thing for me my sister isn't here. I'd never hear the end of it. An Academe trained wizard going on a boar hunt, and helping out the town for free. Say it isn't so.
She shakes off her thoughts, and realizes that Asa is giving her a chance to research an old legend. "A missing Forge Disappearing from time, and then coming back as a Legend? Sounds interesting, and something worth exploring. Is that where the Ogre is supposed to be?"
"Rast you should go talk to that girl. She might like clerics." she grins and sips from her third drink.
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Rast excuses himself from the table and very hesitantly approaches the girl who had beckoning him over.
"Umm.. Hello, are you enjoying the celebration? I'm Cleric, er, woops, I'm Rastilian, I mean." Rast awkwardly smiles at the young lady.
If the floor opened under me it would not be the worst thing to happen today.
As Rast walks away, Asa gives him a smile. "Just be yourself, Rast. If she has issues with that she will have issues with me."
Turning To Eloisa, she shakes her head. "The Forge isn't 'lost' per se so much as 'occupied by hostile forces.' Prior to that our resident blacksmithing trio had access to the place, and as Dante will attest the legends are quite credible with regards to the quality of items possible to create therein." She quickly gives her a run down on the highlights of what Dante and Savrah told her last night.
"I imagine that there is more to the place than just magical crafting opportunities. Otherwise the forces of darkness would not have such an obsession with keeping the place closed."
Asa is about to say more, but thinks better of it with Dante still present. "I have a theory, but I want some more time to formulate it."
"I'll wait to hear it when you are ready." Hmm do I have any books that might mention this Forge? I'll have to look. I wonder the spellcaster will have any good spells laying around. I must have drunk more than I thought to be thinking that. She smiles when Rast heads across the room. "Good luck."
Everyone is drinking, eating, and having a good time when, suddenly, someone slams the tavern's door open and bellows out a sharp-tongued command in a strange language.
The new arrival is a middle aged man with a sharp nose, richly dressed and finely groomed. People in the crowd clearly recognize him, and suddenly, most people in the room become quiet and suddenly very interested in their meals.
He begins to look around the room, clearly searching for someone.
"The Minkai tongue... my birth parents allegedly spoke it, a shame they didn't live long enough to... well, do anything with me really, let alone teach me languages. I wonder if he knows Ameiko, she is about the only person I have heard to speak it."
Rising from her table, hand on the pommel of her falcata, she approaches the man.
"Apologies, sir, but I don't speak Minkaian. Do you speak common perhaps?"
"You are much more beautiful than i coudl have imagi..."
He turned from where he was sitting to glare at the angry voice who was very much interupting one of the better nights he could recall. He was puzzled staring at the older man. Try as he might he didnt recognize the fellow. He was about to turn back to his conversation when he caught sight of Asa moving torwards the man and he froze. She wasnt about to challenge him to a fight was she? He rose himself.
" Please if you will excuse me but a moment." He asked Tessa trying to close torwards the man himself and breathing a sigh of relief when her heard Asa's words.
Eloisa speaks quietly to Asa as she follows, "Quaerit Ameiko. Illa est filia ejus. Vita vivet, et non modo probare." She stands behind Asa, and tries to look helpful.
"What in the nine layers of hell is that commontion." Selaros utters before he can stop himself. He turns his attention away from Agustianna, and sees Ameiko's dad being the source of the distrubance.
"This looks like troubles." He says just loud enough for Agustianna to hear him, before he turns her way again. "Have you seen Ameiko? I think this is better left for her to handle, rather than we try to do anything to worsen the situation."
Ah--that must be Papa Kaijitsu, Ameiko's father. None of my business.
Shaedeen takes another dainty portion of spiced boar onto the end of her fork and drops it in her mouth before she notices that Asa's on the warpath again with Eloisa backing her up. Shae hops into action, getting up and moving to Eloisa's side, finishes her chewing, swallows her food, and gives the mage a quick nod of solidarity.
Hearing Eloisa, she nods. "Quod ita sit. Agam non habeo, nisi eum ad singulare certamen."
"Is that so. I'll try not to challenge him to a duel then unless I have to."
Seeing both Selaros and Calin approach as well, she switches to elven.
"L'un de vous trouver Ameiko s'il vous plaît, son père la cherche. Je vais essayer de ne pas le provoquer pendant qu'il attend."
"One of you find Ameiko please, her father is looking for her. I will try not to provoke him while he waits."
She says all this while smiling in what she hopes is a friendly fashion. "The day started with me forcibly dragging someone outside with the intent to interrogate and kill them, I would hate for a similar misunderstanding to end it... ah, speak of the devil."
Asa gives Shaedeen a polite nod as she joins Eloisa's side, then turns to Ameiko's father.
"If you will wait a moment, your daughter should be out to see you soon. May I suggest a plate of boar or a cup of water while you wait?"
Asa, as soon as you start speaking in Elven, Lonjiku snaps his head towards you, fixing you with a venomous stare.
"I'll not have that whore's language uttered in my presence. Hold your tongue! Yes, just what we needed; more unwashed vagrants, calling themselves adventurers, bringing nothing but trouble! The Goblins probably only attacked because you were here!"
It's faulty logic and an unsympathetic room. Many bristle, including Dante, Savrah and Korvut, as well as Tessa, Agustianna, the Sherriff and the Mayor.
Before he can continue speaking, Ameiko pushes her way out from the crowd, ladle of boar stew in her hand. You've never seen her this angry before, and she begins speaking in Minkaian. The two are arguing and it swiftly escalates to shouting. After a minute, Lonjiku angrily grabs at Ameiko's hair.
You may post an initial reaction to that (please fold it into your next posts) but Ameiko reacts swiftly. She ducks under the older man's arm and brains him with her ladle, surprising more than hurting him but covering his fine garments in broth and chunks of meat. His expression is mingled shock, anger and disgust. Finally, he fixes her with a glare and says in Common, "You're as dead to me as your mother."
Then, he stalks off.
A silence hangs in the room. Ameiko takes a moment and composes herself, then speaks to the room.
"Looks like I'll have to clean my ladle before continuing the feast; jackass stew wasn't on the menu tonight!"
It's not the strongest joke, but it works, giving the people an excuse to laugh and break the tension. The party then returns to a semblance of normalcy.
A cold glare crosses Asa's face at the old man's remarks. "Calm.... must keep calm...."
The glare begins simmering with loathing as the fight in Minkaian escalates. Finally, when Lonjiku grabs at Ameiko's hair, Asa draws her falcata... only to laugh at the mess of boar stew that slops over his head at the hands of Ameiko's swift ladle work. She nods approvingly at Ameiko's comment about jackass stew, but heads for the door.
"He insulted me. Time for him to apologize I think." Falcata in hand, Asa swiftly heads after the retreating form of Lonjiku.
Like everyone else watching he was shocked by the older mans attitude, and when he went to grab for Ameiko he took two steps torwards the man almost lifing his arm before he paused and got a little smirk. His eyes widened at Asa's drawing action and even more when she started to stalk torwards the form.
He moved into her path and crossed his arms raising an eyebrow.
"Go sit down, please dont make me regret not having said anything."
He said very quietly.
As soon as the older man grabs at Ameiko, Merrick will move, attempting to get close to grab him. Upon seeing the resolution, he will instead gawk a bit at Ameiko. Merrick has never seen anything quite like that, and awe and admiration for the innkeeper are definitely beginning to grow.
Merrick will glower at the man as he leaves. When he sees Asa take umbrage, he will move beside her. He will whisper some advice.
"Let's not be too hasty, my friend. The man is an ass, but he has much sway in this town. Attempting to answer his insult with a challenge will very likely cause more problems than it creates. I think discretion is the better part of valor here."
Selaros started moving at the same time Lonjiku grapped Ameiko, his vigilante skills kicking in. But he stopped when she smacked her father over the head, remembering she had been an adventurer and knew how to defend herself he couldn't quite hide him grinning, not at the job but of him thinking she would need his help dealing with her father.
He sits back down with Agustianna "You know I almost forgot Ameiko's advanture past untill she knocked him over the head. Hope she'll be fine."
Asa levels a glare at Calin, but pauses momentarily. Hearing Merrick's addition, she sighs in frustration.
"I am not going to kill him. I just want to talk with him." She sheaths her falcata and thrusts it into the unsuspecting arms of Calin.
"You can hold onto that while I am doing so if you don't believe me. Or you can follow me if you are truly worried after the health a the man who just called half of your heritages' language the tongue of whores and followed it with accusing you of drawing the goblins to town."
Looking at Merrick, she adds, "You can come too if you want. I really am not going to dual the man, just ask for an explanation."
She begins positioning herself to walk past Calin and after the retreating elder.
As he leaves, Asa, you do see three men sort of fall into line behind him. Clearly they are guards. Just so you are aware as you approach.
Shaedeen watches in amusement as Ameiko bashes her father with the ladle of stew and her old man beats a soggy retreat. The smile vanishes at the elder Kaijitsu's departing words and then she frowns as Asa pursues the nobleman, trusty falcata already in hand.
Is she fearless or crazy? Shae asks herself before immediately coming to another conclusion: Both!
Moving to Ameiko's side, Shaedeen quickly offers to clean up the mess if the tavernmistress will follow Asa and her father and make sure the short-tempered pair don't come to blows.